Rice market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The Central Asian rice market expanded from 888 000 tons in 2018 to 1.155 million tons in 2019, driven by increased infrastructure investments and improved logistics involving state-owned companies such as KTZ Express. Geopolitical tensions and trade sanctions then contributed to a contraction to 1.099 million tons in 2020 by disrupting regional supply chains.

Market volume declined further to 1.068 million tons in 2021 and 1.015 million tons in 2022, influenced by Russia's export ban on rice following the Fedorovsky hydro unit accident, which altered trade flows. A strong recovery to 1.198 million tons occurred in 2023, supported by rising profitability in rice farming, increased production in Kazakhstan, and lower consumer prices that boosted domestic consumption.

Production rice in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Central Asia's rice production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2018, production hit its lowest point at 915 thousand tons, with a significant decline of 16.8%. However, the following year saw a strong rebound, with production increasing by 21.1% to reach 1 114 thousand tons in 2020, marking a modest gain of 0.6% compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports rice from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

Central Asia's rice exports have rebounded after two years of decline. In 2019, exports fell to their lowest level at 50 777 tons, with a sharp drop of 24.2%. By 2020, exports recovered to 54 400 tons, showing a 7.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 34.1%, averaging an annual decline of 13.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan were the top buyers of rice from Central Asia, though their dominance was limited. Russia accounted for 34.2% of exports in volume, Ukraine for 8.6%, and Azerbaijan for 3.4%. Together, these three countries made up 46.2% of total exports, with the remainder spread across numerous smaller partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Rice exports from Central Asia in value terms showed notable growth. In 2019, exports experienced a decline of 5.5%, but this was followed by a strong performance in 2020, with exports reaching 29 978 thousand US dollars, an 18.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 34.6%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 10.4%, with the largest increase of 19.9% recorded in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, Russia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan played significant but not dominant roles as buyers of rice from Central Asia in value terms. Russia held a 28.4% share of exports, Ukraine 9.1%, and Azerbaijan 5.9%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 43.5% of total export value, indicating a diverse market with many other participants.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports rice to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

Rice imports into Central Asia showed considerable volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2017, imports were at their lowest point, but they surged by 143.5% in 2019 to reach a peak of 97 810 tons. However, in 2020, imports dropped sharply to 39 054 tons, a 60.1% decrease from the previous year. Overall, the gap between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2017 was 3.4-fold.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia, Pakistan, and India were the leading suppliers of rice to Central Asia in volume terms. Russia contributed 20.5% of imports, Pakistan 13.3%, and India 3.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 36.9% of total imports, with the rest sourced from a variety of other partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Rice imports in value terms into Central Asia were marked by significant fluctuations. In 2017, imports were at their minimum, but they jumped by 95.7% in 2019 to a high of 46 329 thousand US dollars. In 2020, imports fell to 24 374 thousand US dollars, a sharp decline of 47.4% year-over-year. The difference between the 2019 peak and the 2017 low was 2.5-fold.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, rice imports to Central Asia in value terms were widely distributed among partner countries. Russia was the largest supplier with a 31.5% share, followed by Pakistan at 7.9% and India at 4.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented 44.2% of total import value, highlighting a fragmented market with many contributors.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central Asia in value, 2017-2020